Endocrine Disruptors and Reproductive Health in Males

Abstract

Nowadays, endocrine-disrupting chemicals are considered to be one of the main causes of the ever-increasing occurrence of problems with male fertility. These compounds of natural or anthropogenic origin are omnipresent in the environment and organisms are exposed to them practically nonstop through the air, water, food, and occupationally. Endocrine disruptors have the ability to mimic effects of reproductive hormones and demonstrably can interfere with the endocrine system leading to reproductive disorders at different levels, and considering male reproductive functions, most of the impacts are performed by the breakdown of estrogenor androgen-mediated processes. A significant body of evidence based upon laboratory or wildlife animal experiments and metaanalysis of semen studies in men indicates that exposure to endocrine disrupting compounds is associated with male reproductive malfunctions, including impairment of spermatogenesis followed by reduced semen quality parameters (sperm concentration, motility, and morphology). Alkylphenols, bisphenol, and phthalates are substantial components of many products with which people come into contact daily. This brief review will emphasize on the possible effects of alkylphenols, bisphenol, and phthalates on the male reproductive system, and current research efforts related to these substances mainly in the context of two main processes taking place in testicular tissues—steroidogenesis and spermatogenesis.